Gambia: Sports Minister, NC Meet Club Reps

The honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and the Normalisation Committee of the Gambia Football Association (GFA) over the weekend held discussions with league clubs on the draft constitution and proposed GFA calendar. The meeting was held at the Friendship Hostel Hall of the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The Committee's Media Relations Officer, Bakary Burama Baldeh, said the draft GFA constitution topped the agenda of the meeting. According to him, the chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, Alhagie Omar Sey, said the document adequately reflects what is on the ground and also empowers the playing of football at all levels. Sey added that the new constitution is tailor made in such a way that it is realistic and prepares a framework for technical, administrative and development to ensuring that no part or region will have dominance over the other.

He further stated: "This is what the draft constitution entails with its basic fundamental principles all over the world especially in Africa." He added that the new initiative is meant to decentralise Gambian football in all cadres. On the proposed name change from Gambia Football Association to Gambia Football Federation, club representatives suggested that the name retain its original form until congress adopts the draft constitution. Other articles of the constitution were alsodiscussed ranging from Membership, to Powers of the Executive, Election and Dissolution. Club reps made their inputs to the Constitutional Review Committee on the various amendments before a final draft would be sent to FIFA.

On the proposed draft GFA Calendar, the chairman of the Normalisation Committee, Alhagie OB Conateh, said it has long been a complain from stakeholders that a Calendar be prepared to guide the programmes of the GFA and its satellite committees. He said the NC has now drafted a calendar for the perusal of the clubs so that together, stakeholders in football can make headway in the growth and development of Gambian football. The Calendar is drafted in a tabular form and caters for the beginnings and ends of all Nawettans in the recognised GFA zones, the start and end of league matches as well as for Regional Leagues.

Alhagie OB Conateh thanked the league clubs for the maturity they exhibited during the meeting. He also applauded them for taking Gambian football to another height. "Without you, football cannot prosper," he added.

Minister Alieu Kebba Jammeh, on his part, hailed the NC for its hard work and dedication. He reassured of his ministry's full support to the Committee in its drive to bridge the gaps that hampered the state of Gambian football. He finally thanked the club reps for the energy and other resources injected into football.

The Constitutional Review Committee is meeting soon to finalise the draft constitution for onward sending to FIFA. The meeting was attended by representatives of all league clubs.

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